Page 33 of Counterfeit Connection

I’d be a liar if I said there wasn't a part of me that was a little disappointed. Not because of our arrangement potentially falling through, but because I was looking forward to hearing from him.

I could have taken his head off that first night, and nearly did. In reality, he didn’t do anything wrong, besides be overexuberant in his defense of a woman. It was my issue, not his. I don’t think I told him that. Maybe I’ll never get to.

It’s nearing lunchtime and I’ve just closed out a document that’s been driving me crazy for nearly a week, when Mika knocks on my door then pushes it open.

“Um, Kait?” she says, sticking her head in.

I toss the black-framed glasses I wear when I’ve been staring at a screen too long, onto my desk. “Yeah?”

“I want to preface this with I’m not lying. There’s an incrediblyhotman with an accent at reception asking for you. Gina rang me since you were listed as do not disturb.”

I don’t want to immediately assume it’s Griffin. I do have a deposition in about an hour. “You shouldn’t talk about the opposition like that.”

“Giiiiiirl, this isn’t work. You don’t come to a depo with a flower bouquet in hand. Red fucking roses to be exact.” I feel a warmth rush through my body as I stand up and instinctively smooth my hair then my skirt. “Mmmhmmm. That’s what I thought. Should I show him to your office or do you want to…go get him?” She winks.

“Bring him to me. Wait… no… I’ll go to him. Wait.” I’m suddenly more nervous than I was expecting to be.

“Breathe, babe. It’s going to be all right, though I do enjoy seeing this side of you.”

“Shh,” I say, waving her out the door ahead of me. “Play it cool, Mika.”

“I’m the Queen of Cool.”

I smooth my skirt one more time, and thank the divine beings above I took extra time on my hair and makeup today, before rounding the corner to reception to see my counterfeit beau waiting for me.

I swear he has a closet of suits any man would kill for. They’re all Armani, tailored, and are perfect for him. He’s left a couple days growth on his beard. The darker color to his face makes his eyes shine brighter than I’ve ever noticed them to be. Myshoes make their usual clicking sound on the marble floors of our hallway. When that sound makes it to his ears, I know it instantly because he turns his head, in what feels like slow motion, to meet my eyes. When he does, he smiles a smile I’ve never seen on him before.

“Wow. That was worth the wait.” He strides slowly toward me with the largest bunch of roses I’ve ever seen at one time. With his free hand he cups my elbow, leans in, and places a soft kiss on the apple of my cheek, just below my temple. “Hi,” he whispers.

“Hi,” I whisper back. “The roses are huge. Compensating for something?” I tease him.

He laughs. “Hardly. I simply want to make a good first impression and perhaps even embarrass you a little. You blush easily and it’s fun.”

Just as he predicted, I do feel a heat brewing in my cheeks, but I don’t have time to revel in it before I hear Mr. Wilder’s voice booming from behind me.

“Personal visits in the middle of the day aren’t exactly a good look, Ms. Logan.”

Before I can open my mouth, Griffin steps to my side and slightly in front of me. “Hello. Pardon the intrusion. I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Griffin Shaw. I think your firm has been in contact from time to time, trying to recruit business from my father, Lachlan Shaw.”

The irritation on Wilder’s face goes through many stages until I can almost see an actual light bulb illuminate above his head. “Oh. Yes. The pleasure is mine, Mr. Shaw.” Mr. Wilder sticks out his sausage fingers to shake Griffin’s hand.

“I know I should have made an appointment. However, I don’t always stand on ceremony like my father does.”

“Oh, I don’t care about that.” I hope my poker face is holding because my mind is screaming. Has he grown a differentpersonality because I don’t know who my boss is right now. “How can we help you, Mr. Shaw? Would you like to chat in a conference room? It would give me an opportunity to get to know you better.”

The smirk on Griffin’s face is classic. I’m holding my breath to see what comes next. “Thank you, Mr. Wilder, but I think Ms. Logan would be best suited to my needs.”

I think I hear Mika snicker at her desk from fifty feet away.

“Ms. Logan?”

“Yes. Her father is a family friend, and I believe she has just what I need to make the contract I’m trying to compose come to life.”

Mr. Wilder steps closer to me and crosses his arms. “That makes sense. Kaitlyn is one of the most gifted, sought after members of our staff here.”

I have to actively keep myself from scoffing because he never, not even once, has complimented me like that. Certainly not without it dripping in some form of sexual harassment first.

“I have no doubt about that,” Griffin says before turning his attention back to me. “Ms. Logan, you were showing me to your office so we can discuss the contract privately?”

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